gingerjon

We don’t agree on much, but … yes.

And even football doesn’t have straightforward P&R. There are enforced standards. And there is a point where it is based on application not on field. Nobody on here seems to believe relegation from League 1 is essential but, apparently, it is for Super League.

There is an assumption, repeated several times on this thread, that because someone has money they must be smart and have deeply considered motivations. I encounter some very affluent people pretty much every day. Some meet that, some were born with money, some are very successful in a field where that gets you money, but plenty have just got a bit fortunate a couple of times and held on to some decent cash as a result. I have no idea where Davy fits in that spectrum but wouldn't necessarily assume that just because he is successful and has the money to put ideas in place, it means it's well thought through or strategic. Sometimes a bad idea is a bad idea.

Perfect is the enemy of good, then. The need is get the tour on. Or, if not, to get a suitable replacement confirmed. We do not need to chase the favourite bits of every past tour, fall short and then do nothing.

I know Harry hates mentioning other sports, except when he mentions other sports, but the last game of association football I went to was one where the home team is 10th and the visitors were 11th in a league of 20. Can’t go up, can’t go down. A literal jeopardy free game and with several weeks to go. Crowd was bang on average and the game played as if there was a Cup final place on the line. Maybe it’s the incredibly demanding nature of RL that means it’s easier to get involved in games without jeopardy in other sports but for RL there has to be something on the line. It is part of a wider fans’ attitude that I’ve always found a bit weird.

I think you’re probably overestimating “us”. It would be the best system but when we had it, you still had moaning that Hunslet (for eg) couldn’t be promoted.

They’d be higher on a pure on field ranking. What a terrible system.

Is the answer “not that much because the whole process is a decade long development designed to use our highest levels to leverage in funding that can support the whole game but we have literally only just finished the set up phase”?

Six months? So for this season?

No, we’ve got to the “we’re exactly one quarter of the way through a long process and RL has decided to do another reset despite, apparently, those wanting to reset thinking it’s all going well”. Still, good to have an independent review led by the Chair of the organisation being reviewed.

The pitch is “IMG but without IMG” then?

Martyn has confirmed there’s no break clause. Beaumont, who voted for that contract, may need to have a word with the Beaumont who has bothered to read the details since.

The same zombie argument that says there are hundreds of thousands of anticipating Aussies also believes that as there is no major RU in Kent that it must be just waiting for RL.

GREAT BRITAIN WIN THE IHF EMERGING NATIONS TROPHY Beating Cyprus and Paraguay, but losing to Bulgaria, in the group, before beating the USA in the semi final and then avenging the earlier loss by beating hosts Bulgaria in the final. A simply incredible achievement.

I don't expect NRL levels. I do expect it to be at least as good, up to date and reliable as, say, AFC Uckfield Town Ladies (Tier 9 of the football pyramid). And it's not even close to it. That is poor. It is very easy to get things set up so things can be done with a minimum of effort. If you do actually want to grow the game, it's a bare minimum.

Yet more anonymous validation.

Something something Gary Lineker something.

In my limited experience, you tend to get stood down because something else has come up. Only someone who is terminally online and/or off their ####, would go straight to YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

Did you answer the question about how much room there is for change given that (as you confirmed) the IMG contract has no break clause? Maybe something Wood can cover?

They had a women's shirt presentation. I know that because I can see a nice photo gallery linked from the socials. No details on that, just photos. Can't see anything about a friendly.

Indeed, I was more making the point that there are no riches in the Challenge Cup.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/exclusive-the-stark-financial-reality-of-the-challenge-cup-revealed-as-future-investigated#:~:text=QF losers%3A £8%2C000,Winners%3A £100%2C000 They could be looking at a whole eight grand ...

Streamlined, apparently. They announced, at the end of last year, that all women's news would be on the main channels. I make no further comment.

Nothing really matters or has consequences. Mark Aston, despite being banned in a decisive judgement, is still gainfully employed within rugby league with no apparent will from anyone to hear the appeal that would confirm his innocence or solidify his guilt. It's all of a piece.

The crowds so far are pretty much par for the Challenge Cup.